Something stupid

[Guest]

I'm struggling terribly with my life at the moment and iv done something stupid and I'm scared of the reprocussions.I did the scan and go shop today at the supermarket and honestly forgot to scan some things, I had kids clothes on the trolley and picked up a few things off my list that I wasnt sure I needed so didn't scan straight away, I got the quality check and when he scanned something I hadn't (I honestly hadn't tried to steal it as it was right on top!) so he said he had to rescan all my shopping so I just said I would go to a checkout and pay instead as it was probably quicker. Anyway it turns out there must have been quite alot I hadn't scanned as there was £100 difference between my scanned goods and what I paid at the checkout. I paid and left and no one said anything. I feel absolutely terrible, embarrassed, mortified and heartbroken. I feel like the supermarket is going to check the difference and try and prosecute me for intending to steal but I really didn't! Iv just not been thinking very clearly recently and struggling really bad with everything that's going on at home. My husband has just had a cancer diagnosis and we have young children, Iv been having counselling but they can't offer me more sessions but feel like I needed more to be honest. I feel like I'm trying to overjustify myself for a mistake but I'm scared they won't see it that way and I will face losing everything and adding stress to my husband that he doesn't need. I'm not sure how much more I can handle with everything and feel like this has really tipped me over the edge

[Lostchild]

Hi, Im just on this forum having a look, with no legal background whatsoever, but In my personal opinion, you have no reason to worry. You made a mistake, your mind is obviously troubled at the moment. And you are thinking the worst will happen. But it wont. You are just feeling guilty at the thought that you almost unknowingly stole goods. If the store thought for a moment that you were a hardened criminal, they would have had you dealt with there and then. Whilst you have been tormenting yourself probably all day with all the what ifs, the people in the store would have forgotten about this within minutes. And very unlikely to be going through records and info after you left. Take a deep breath, know that you are a good person, know that you may have made a mistake, this doesn't make you a bad person, and I honestly believe you have nothing to worry about at all. *

[des8]

Hi and welcome

As Lostchildyou have nothing to worry about.

If the store were going to do anything you would have been detained there and then and the police called.
You would have been banned from the store and probably told that you would be receiving a demand for money to cover their costs.

As it is you failed to scan certain items but corrected the situation by going through a regular checkout, so no problem.

They will not be comparing your scan with the regular checkout figures as it will be pointless.
If they did I doubt they would be able to show that you hadn't placed more items in your trolley after scanning and before going through checkout.

Try and put the incident out of mind and look after your family.
trust your husband receives the necessary treatment and makes a full recovery

[Lostchild]

Sorry, me again, also I have been reading other posts on here, and there is a man that said he was pulled into the back office of a supermarket by security for “acting suspiciously” as he did self check out, but half way through went to get ketchup he had forgotten. My point is, if they were even slightly suspicious that you was trying to steal goods, you would have probably been pulled in to an office. Please don't stress. You have enough on your plate. You are overthinking it. My opinion is that the staff did not give a second thought and it was forgotten before you had left the building. Plus, I am pretty sure, now don't quote me as i have no legal expertise, but I think you cannot be charged with theft unless you had left the building without paying. And if that was the case, and security stopped you, it would have been at that point when they would have made a decision, either have you arrested, or accept that it was done in error and let you go back and pay. Either way. You have not stolen anything. You have now paid for all the goods. So I cant see that there is any possible way that any further action could ever come if this. Again, i have no law degree, but that feels like common sense. You will be ok. Forget it happened. *

[Lostchild]

Just seen Des8 responded whilst writing my second post. Really pleased he is of the same opinion. He is a smart cookie that advised me well on my post (the reason why i am on here being nosey)

[Prettystupid]

Thanks for the replies. I'm the original poster but I couldn't reply as it was a guest account. I will be returning to the supermarket next week for my weekly shop. Do you think they may apprehend me and question me when I go back? Or send me a ban letter through the post?. My anxiety is in overdrive about this and I'm scared they're going to trawl through CCTV and say it ass intentional. I'm catastrophising I know but I just can't think straight

[Lostchild]

Hi, no, you are worrying too much. If they thought you were intending to steal, they really would have dealt with it in that moment. If they let you go to the till, pay for your goods, that would be the end of it for them. Case closed. Nothing to worry about. They certainly wouldn't go *trawling through old footage, old transactions, to see if there was possibly several goods that weren't scanned. It would be pointless. Put their shoes on, think how they might be thinking. This is what happened in their eyes. You used self service, they checked items with you, they said you need to scan again, you offered to go through a manned til, you didn't try to run, you paid for the items, the actions of an innocent person, you left with your goods that you had the funds to pay for. it would have been different if you couldn't afford the shopping, it would have looked more suspicious. But they know you paid. So from their point of view, no point in investigating deeper as its a waste of time as you have paid. You have not actually stole anything. Prosecuting you for not stealing is fruitless. No point. They have not given it a second thought, neither should you. Put it behind you. You have been given terrible news about your husband, and you now think that everything that can go wrong will go wrong. It wont. As far as the supermarkets concernef. Its forgotten.

[des8]

Your reaction is pretty standard for those who inadvertently make a mistake which could be misinterpreted.

Firstly no one is going to trawl through hours of CCTV on the off chance they might spot you doing something suspicious.
It takes too long and is an expensive exercise to undertake.

If anyone tries to apprehend you they are breaking the law, and themselves could face a charge of unlawful detention.
They can only arrest you if you are in the act of committing an indictable offence orthey have reasonable grounds to suspect that they are committing an indictable offence.
They can request you go with them to answer questions, (but it is most unlikely as the matter is done and dusted).
If that should happen I would suggest you refuse.

They could ban you, but again unlikely if it was not done at the time.

Do they have your name and address?
Which supermarket?

[Prettystupid]

Thankyou both so much. The store was asda. The only way they would have my name is via the scan and go and if they really wanted my address they could find it out somehow from my registered phone number. They didn't request anything from me at the time. I really appreciate the reassurances. Iv never felt like this before, iv lost my appetite and I haven't slept (ridiculous I know). Iv so much anxiety going back to the store bjt but it's the only one I can go to at the moment.*

[des8]

They aren't going to waste time searching for your address.
They issue the customer on the spot with a banning order and tell them the incident will be referred to a civil recovery firm.
So although I appreciate you will be anxious on your next visit to the shop,*don't worry about it.
They have no concerns about your actions. If they had they would have acted at the time.
*

[Prettystupid]

I appreciate your guidance and reassurances. Thankyou very much